About Me

I'm a child of God, wife to Charlie, mom to three beautiful girls, daughter to Dennis and Susan, and friend to as many as I can meet. (In that order.) Welcome to my bloggaroni. :)
Follow me on Twitter: thatsmykimjay / Go to my site: www.kimjay.com

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

My OCD tendencies are better. At one point, it was so bad, I would do just about anything to keep my kids from eating anything messy indoors. Then, when they did - I was right there waiting with a paper towel and the 409. I am MUCH better, now. But, still I feel that twinge of "Ack!" Today, the brownie won. And, I got the bonus of a cute photo-op...

Monday, March 29, 2010

These two sisters were gorgeous last summer when I first had a chance to work with them. The PERFECT little models, always "on spot" every time. So, SO, sweet! And, now, little brother is right in the mix and is keeping up with big sisters' cuteness! Enjoy Olivia, Ella Grace, and Weston...

Thursday, March 25, 2010

I really, really miss her on two occasions...Easter, and when I make her pot-roast. Last week, I pulled out her old crock-pot (circa 1967) and the recipe she gave me over the phone when I was first married back in 1991. Combine that with the warm weather - that makes me want to plant stuff (like Grandmama) - and, you get, me - all vehclemnt.

I remember the day the family all met at Papa Tang and Grandmama's house on Crafton to clean it out and get it ready to sell. So incredibly sad. It really was nearly as bad as losing them. That tiny little house (probably 1,100 sq. feet) held at the very least, 8-10 adults, and 12 grandchildren who were all very young - every holiday for dinner. We were crammed in there like Miss Piggy's feet in stilettos. But, it was the best. We always looked forward to Christmas Eve night, Easter Sunday after church, and Thanksgiving at noon (or 1:00 if you're a Barcafer.) :)

This day, we looked over letters, magazines, furniture, magazines, knick-knacks, magazines, costume jewelry, magazines, clothes, etc... None of us wanted to be presumptuous enough to ask for anything. She raised her girls right! All very (at least that I know of) conscientious of their sisters' feelings. But, when I was asked what I might want, I knew what it was I wanted...

I wanted that pot! That crock-pot was the HOLY GRAIL OF CROCK-POTS. I'm not even messing around here. Listen to me people, you cannot know the joy that comes out of this wonderful ceramic, electrified, pot! Pork roasts, pot-roasts, to kill people over. Seriously, I think it came to that one time. Really. You don't believe me? Well, okay, maybe not. But, man.

One day while I was in college, I called Grandmama and Papa Tang to check in...

"Hello, Papa! Whatcha doin'?"

"Pressin'"

"You're pressing?"

"Pressin' my butt-cheeks to this chair!"

"Oh, Papa!"

"Oh, Papa!" (he raised his voice and mimicked me)

"What's Grandmama doing?"

"She's about to put a pot-roast on the table."

"I'll be there in 15 minutes - wait for me!"

(Chuckle) "We'll do - Lil' Sug."

I remember that day like it was yesterday, and oh how I wish it were yesterday. I miss them so incredibly much. So, so, much. They were the warmest, friendliest, most nonjudgemental, God-loving people on the planet. And, they loved me. Boy, did they love me! They called me "Lil' Sug" for goodness sakes! At all times. The only time I heard either of them refer to me by my real name was when Papa Tang would sing "Kimberley" to the tune of "Tenderly." Or, when he would say, "Kimberley...Denise...ROTTEN!"

That day, as we sat there, me completely devouring ever drip of gravy, every tender, juicy bite of roast, the carrots that were so good they were like dessert (man...Pavlov's dog going on here), I told Grandmama...

"Grandmama, if I'm ever on death row, and they ask me what I want as my last meal, I'm going to tell them - MY grandmother's pot-roast!"

Without batting an eye, not even asking WHY I was on death-row, she paused and said, "I'd make it for you........and, I'd take my time!"

Then, she winked at me.

I love my Grandmama and Papa Tang. My heart hurts right now, that Peanut will never know them on earth. And, Charlie. Boy, would she have LOVED Charlie! I physically yearn for them. In fact, I got one of his flannel shirts that day, and I may just wear it to bed tonight. I didn't want to be presumptuous, but...

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

This little man was no little boy - at least he doesn't think so! We couldn't mention the word "cute". Everything had to be "cool"! And, rain didn't keep us from having fun in downtown Memphis. It stayed away - thank goodness! What a good time we had with this little, ahem, BIG boy! Enjoy...

B-E-A-YOU-tiful girls! I got to meet Nat and Whit last Monday and what a great time we had! They were both so incredibly beautiful and photogenic, I could have just shot them all night! Thank you mom, for sharing your daughters with me! Enjoy...

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Remember when you were little, at Christmas, when it was time to eat that amazing meal you looked forward to all year long? Ham, potato salad, green beans, baked beans, deviled eggs (or stuffed eggs if you're in my family - we don't like giving the devil credit for things that good!), rolls.... Man, I'm going to go have to go get a snack after just writing this! Remember how all the adults got to sit at the "big table" while all the grandkids were stuck in the den on a rackety old card table? On lawn chairs (that didn't sit high enough to even see your food), with a harsh warning NOT to get any on the carpet?

I remember it. I remember the first year I was married. I thought that surely enduring all those nuptials would earn me a spot. And, graciously, my good ol' Aunt Dixie and Uncle Glenn gave up their spots, just to make me feel all special. What an accomplishment. What grown-up-ness! I was at the big table! Today it was clear that Anna appreciates this feeling as well. I caught her at the dinner table, having moved all of her accouterments from her high chair right to her Daddy's spot. So proud. She's growing up.

Makes me wonder. At God's dinner table, where would He have me sit? I mean, I know I'm not exactly a baby Christian, but am I there yet? Would I be invited to sit with Him at the "big table"? The mere fact that I have no idea right now in my heart is suggesting maybe, I need to grow up a bit more. Or, I guess if I thought I was a shoe-in for adult Heavenly dining - wouldn't that suggest that maybe I didn't get it? What would happen if I just tried to sneak in? What would God say when I got caught? Would He be as affected by my cuteness as I was of Anna's - and just let it slide?

I don't know.

"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me."

Friday, March 5, 2010

How on earth we were lucky enough to be 3-for-3 on precious baby girls, I'll never know. But, we sure racked-up with our three daughters. And, our Little Peanut, although quite a mess at times, can be so incredibly sweet. Aren't we all that way? (I wonder if God says that about us to His angels, "That Kim Jay, she's a MESS! But, ain't she sweet?")

Yesterday, I was blessed with a willing participant. I think she is starting to get old enough to figure out what I do. Having "helped" me with a couple of baby-photosessions recently, I think she was wanting to play photoshoot with mommy!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Before we went on vacation last week, I had the privilege (again) to photograph a sweet, SWEET, baby boy named Rocco. I met Rocco's big brother, Luca, last summer, as well as his mama, Kim (who was pregnant with little Rocco), and his grandmother, Sue. Such a wonderful family. And, boy can they make some beautiful children! Sue and I have already decided to draw up papers for an arranged marriage between Luca and Anna. I'll have me a bunch of sweet little blonde-haired, blue-eyed babies.

This past session with Rocco, was a JOY. He couldn't have been any more perfect or in a better mood. The little boy made my ovaries twinge. I told Charlie as Sue was leaving with her grandson, "I want a BOY, Charlie!" (Of course, we have taken care of things for just such moments of insanity. So, no boys for me.) We stood and chatted a little as Sue was leaving about how she knew my parents from long ago in the days of Leawood Baptist Church. My grandmother is still a member.

Sue brought me this amazing picture, look how gorgeous! My dad took it sometime in the 1960s. The neatest thing, on the back, was his rubber stamped name. The address was my grandparents' as well as that phone number I will never forget. I used to call it up and hear, "This is Hillie, who is this?" My granddaddy was a riot...remember no caller ID back then!

I get a lot of people who ask me how I got into photography. My answer is that my dad was a photographer in college, and worked for one of the best photographers in Memphis. That he taught me early how to calculate equivalent values and what shutter speed to use. And, he certainly, above all else - taught me to cherish this amazing tool we have to freeze time. Our lives are so wonderful, we don't want to miss or forget a thing. The camera has always been a part of our family. Part of life. We just learned to smile and not fight it. Well, except for maybe when he brought a camera to FRED'S DOLLAR STORE to document my very first job. Oh, the horrors to a 16 year old! (But, honestly, I'm already planning my stealth photography mission - as soon as Morgan gets her first gig!)

How neat it is, that I am now photographing Sue's grandchildren. Daddy, we have come full circle. Enjoy, little Rocco...